Center of Excellence

About The Center of Excellence

The Center of Excellence (COE) program, funded through the Department of Health and Human Services, was established to assist designated health profession schools and other public and non-profit, or educational institutions strengthen the national capacity to produce a culturally competent healthcare workforce, whose diversity is representative of the U.S. population.

The Center of Excellence (COE) program is designed to strengthen the national capacity to train under-represented minority (URM) students in various health profession fields. The Center of Excellence program is designated to certain Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and/or colleges or universities that have a history of a high enrollment of Hispanic or Native American students. These colleges or universities are required to have a Health Professions School of Medicine, Osteopathic Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmacy. Centers of Excellence programs are also offered to other public and non-profit, or educational entities, and graduate programs in mental or behavioral health programs that train a significant number of the targeted minority populations.

Howard University's College of Pharmacy, received a Center of Excellence grant in 2000 to initiate programs for K-12 students, partnerships with community colleges, and bachelor’s degree granting institutions.

Supported by: 
The Department of Health & Human Services